IntrepidFromDC

I'm having a nine-course tasting menu option for dinner, so I stayed light for lunch.

She said the Romans only built with large stones like the base of the Cathedral

The fake Roman wall ruins, I think she said they were built in the 1970s or 199s.

And they're off, luggage and all! Meanwhile Venezia is just meandering, someone check the captain's breath.

I think you mean the land part not the cruise? I planned and booked everything individually. For me it's the only way to see most of the world, spending more time where I want to and only seeing what I want to see based on my resources and research. If you just mean today's walking tour it's $20pp, Donkey Tours, 2.5 hours Gothic District of Barcelona. Let me know if I didn't answer your question correctly.

More pics from the walking tour... the tour ended with recent history of how and why the Catalan region wants to separate from Spain and the wealthy residences in the same square as the Government Administration building displaying the unofficial Catalan flag with blue triangle and white star added. The photo in between the flags is a resistance leader. It was a fun and informative tour - seeing the maps of the region changing every 100 years added to the guide's narrative about who was conquering whom over the centuries.

This is what the "Gothic Cathedral" pictured above looked like in 1897, before the faux facade was added.

Up close, our guide showed us the difference between Roman stone, Visigoth architecture, Catalan architecture and the very recent (2000s) refurbishments that are designed to look old.

Nice ancient Gothic church right? Except what you're looking at was built in 1898 so Barcelona could participate in a European beautiful Cathedral contest.

Some of the "Roman walls" were actually built in the 1900s according to our guide.

She shared alot of history, these two pics are of a wall in King (Phillip?)'s courtyard. On one of the stones you can see Hebrew. The main quarry was next to a Jewish graveyard from the 1400s plague. After analyzing that Christians in the Jewish Quarter were dying from the Plague at a 10-1 ratio of Jews, a rumor spread that Jews were poisoning the Christians wells, so the king kicked all Jewish people out of Catalan and authorized the construction of the walls to include Jewish headstones from the cemetery. Here you see the wall and then a zoomed in shot of on of the stones with hebrew inscribed.

The walking tour was great if you like history. As the guide led us to interesting site after site, she paused along the way 20 times to show maps of modern day Spain and what it looked like, kn 100 year intervals. So we got a real good flavor of how modern day Spain changed hands from the Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Arabs from Africa and Turkey took turns ruling the land and people. She included stops along the way that added depth. For example, when she discussed WWII she showed us a courtyard with shrapnel damaged from a Mussolini bomb that killed 30 children and 3 teachers (pic)

Well, the walking tour was more informative and fun than the HOHO bus, although Gaudi's Cathedral (pic below) is a highlight of Barcelona. The HOHO took us past nic churches, the FC Barcelona stadium (largest soccer stadium, seating almost 100,000 - but not much to look at from the outside (pic). Most of the HOHO route took us through the newer part of Barcelona with 70s construction, looks alot like DC. Since the bus couldn't fit on narrow streets (and forget about the scattered medieval streets) it didn't take us to alot of beautiful and interesting scenery like the walking tour. And the audio narrative was nowhere near as good as our walking tour guide. HOHO pics...

Yes, we got all six (used to be seven, rip Luna) at 8 weeks old, like puppies and kittens.

Barcelona, old area, evening. The crowds are almost on a Times Square level in the tourist area. Tomorrow I have a long walking tour in the morning, then will break for lunch at 2, then will do the HOHO bus. My hotel is strategically located 2 blocks from both the HOHO and Walking Tour meeting points.

Now you've done it.

All six of Faith's ferrets have no smell at all because they had their scent glands removed when they were spayed/ neutered. I'm guessing they do smell bad when they poof like a skunk otherwise? Please don't get me started about ferrets, I really wish everyone had at least two.

Welcome back and I hope you two have an amazing cruise!

Carnival Venezia (encircled) led by Carnival Pride (also red) closing in on Barcelona. And TxTeach has his luggage, to have and to hold until death do they part! It's not even FESTIVUS yet! ANOTHER FESTIVUS MIRACLE!

They add so much joy to our lives, every day is fun with ferrets. And I am a "dog person".

I nominate this pic for best cruisecritic pic ever. 😁 🏴‍☠️

She's sobering up for a few days.

Each one is different. Just like dogs and cats have unique personalities, so do ferrets. BTW, they're not rodents and are much smarter and more entertaining than guinea pigs or rabbits (my opinion). They're like kittens that never grow up, always into hilarious mischief. But they sleep 18 hours a day. And they dook, which will win you over instantly if you see it.

My table was near the door. In the 1.5 hours I was there, I heard the maitre d welcome two walkins, but with a 40 minute wait and a 30 minute redirection to the bar next door to pass time (their bar was full). I have no fear about risking my foodie reputation so if you manage a table please let me know how it goes and if you like scallops, octopus and mojitos go for them here.